Lanka gains recognition in administering rule of law

by P. Krishnaswamy

In spite of the sinister efforts of unpatriotic elements to project a distorted picture of Sri Lanka to the international community, the country is gaining recognition as one of the best countries in the region on administration of rule of the law, civil justice, criminal justice, fundamental rights and human rights, said Sri Lanka's Ambassador to the US and Mexico Jaliya Wickramasuriya.

He said these observations had been made by the World Justice Project, an independent non-profit organisation based in Washington, DC. Sri Lanka has been ranked first in South Asia in six of eight categories of the 2012-2013 Rule of Law Index, he said.

The closure of the US, GSP country practice review of Sri Lanka was based on the Sri Lankan Government's, noteworthy efforts over the past few years to address workers' rights issues outlined in the GSP petition.

This significant achievement is a clear testimony of Sri Lanka's commitment to ensure improved workers' rights, he said.

Socio-economic and development indicators of the country have also been ranked as the best in the region, according to independent observers who have credited these achievements to President Mahinda Rajapaksa's undeviated commitment towards the betterment of the country and the people through the implementation of programs under the Mahinda Chinthana policies, Wickramasuriya said.

"Ruchir Sharma, one of the top 100 global thinkers of 2012 listed by FP, the magazine on global political and economic ideas, has projected Sri Lanka as one of the 'breaking out' nations promising a positive economic and political upward trend.

"Today, it seems that Sri Lanka's time has come.

The war against terrorism is over, the process of healing is under way, and there is every chance that Sri Lanka will become a breakout nation.

With the nation whole again, achieving seven percent growth over the next decade should be well within reach", according to Sharma's observation, Ambassador Wickramasuriya said.